This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6161125.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ex-Iraq hostages forgive captors | Ex-Iraq hostages forgive captors |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Three peace campaigners who were taken hostage say they "unconditionally" forgive their Iraqi captors. | Three peace campaigners who were taken hostage say they "unconditionally" forgive their Iraqi captors. |
| Briton Norman Kember and Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden said they opposed the death penalty for the hostage-takers. | Briton Norman Kember and Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden said they opposed the death penalty for the hostage-takers. |
| The three added they had yet to decide whether to give evidence at the men's trial, which is set for next year. | The three added they had yet to decide whether to give evidence at the men's trial, which is set for next year. |
| Christian peace activist Mr Kember was seized in Baghdad in November 2005 with three other men and held for 117 days. | Christian peace activist Mr Kember was seized in Baghdad in November 2005 with three other men and held for 117 days. |
| 'Great suffering' | 'Great suffering' |
| In a joint statement at a press conference at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation in London they said they wanted "all possible leniency" for the accused men. | In a joint statement at a press conference at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation in London they said they wanted "all possible leniency" for the accused men. |
| The men said: "We unconditionally forgive our captors for abducting and holding us. We have no desire to punish them. Punishment can never restore what was taken from us." | The men said: "We unconditionally forgive our captors for abducting and holding us. We have no desire to punish them. Punishment can never restore what was taken from us." |
| The death penalty is an irrevocable judgment...We oppose the death penalty Former hostages' statement href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4943&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments | |
| They said their captors caused "great suffering" to them and their families, but they held no malice towards them and had "no wish for retribution". | They said their captors caused "great suffering" to them and their families, but they held no malice towards them and had "no wish for retribution". |
| The "cycle of violence" in Iraq did not justify the kidnappers' actions, but should be considered in any potential judgment, they said. | The "cycle of violence" in Iraq did not justify the kidnappers' actions, but should be considered in any potential judgment, they said. |
| The men added: "The death penalty is an irrevocable judgment. It erases all possibility that those who have harmed others, even seriously, can yet turn to good. We oppose the death penalty." | The men added: "The death penalty is an irrevocable judgment. It erases all possibility that those who have harmed others, even seriously, can yet turn to good. We oppose the death penalty." |
| Peace group | Peace group |
| Mr Kember said the only way he would take part in a trial would be to plead for clemency. | Mr Kember said the only way he would take part in a trial would be to plead for clemency. |
| Police have approached the three men about appearing at the trial, which will take place at Iraq's Central Criminal Court. | Police have approached the three men about appearing at the trial, which will take place at Iraq's Central Criminal Court. |
| Mr Kember, 74, from Pinner, north-west London, was in Iraq as part of Canadian-based international peace group Christian Peacemaker Teams. | Mr Kember, 74, from Pinner, north-west London, was in Iraq as part of Canadian-based international peace group Christian Peacemaker Teams. |
| A fourth captive, American Tom Fox, was found shot dead in Baghdad in March. | A fourth captive, American Tom Fox, was found shot dead in Baghdad in March. |